The largest Supercross gathering on the planet in any given year, the Anaheim 1 series opener once again hosted the world’s best racers and most dedicated fans on Saturday night to kick-off what many are predicting to be the most competitive season in Supercross history. The 2012 AMA Supercross Series title is the prized possession at the end of the 17-round battle, and no one knows the importance of a strong start better than two-time champ, James Stewart.

Sure, a sixth-place finish wasn’t what JS7 woke up dreaming about on Saturday morning, but with solid points, his health, and a few key learning experiences under his belt, James and the rest of the JGRMX squad are armed and ready for a huge showing next weekend at round number two.

For now, here’s how things shook down in Angel Stadium, but be sure to check back next Saturday for detailed coverage from Phoenix…

SUPERCROSS QUALIFYING HEATS

• With series championship contenders Chad Reed and Ryan Villopoto safely advancing out of Supercross Heat #1, the gates dropped for the second Supercross-class heat race of 2012, and James jumped out to a solid top-five start.
• Midway through lap two, JS7 took over the third spot and set his sights on Red Bull teammate Ryan Dungey in second.
• Shortly after the start of lap three, Stewart put the move on Dungey for second, and immediately began reeling in Andrew Short up front.
• James took over the lead on lap five, and continued to throw down consistently quick laps as he walked away with the heat win.

SUPERCROSS MAIN EVENT

• With the sold out Anaheim crowd on their feet, the gate finally dropped for the much-anticipated Supercross-class main event, but unfortunately James got pushed wide and off the track through turn one.
• Sitting just inside the top-ten as the pack circulated during the first go-around, James had his work cut out for him as defending series champ Villopoto inherited the early lead and quickly began stretching out a gap between himself and second-place Reed.
• By the halfway point, JS7 had worked his way into the third spot, but with leader Villopoto way out front, he appeared to be putting in what many would call a safe and conservative ride.
• While battling with Dungey for the third spot, the two Red Bull riders began reeling in second-place Reed.
• By lap 16, a three-way battle for second ensued, as Stewart got back by Dungey and began closing in on Reed. Just moments later, however, James went down in a rhythm section, and his shot at an opening-round podium was gone.
• JS7 remounted in fourth, but lost two more positions while trying to get his bike dialed back in.
• James ended the night in a disappointing sixth place, but was in fairly high spirits after the race and looks forward to turning things around next weekend in Phoenix.

SUPERCROSS RESULTS
1. Ryan Villopoto
2. Chad Reed
3. Ryan Dungey
4. Justin Brayton
5. Jake Weimer
6. James Stewart
7. Andrew Short
8. Kevin Windham
9. Mike Alessi
10. Josh Hansen

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The NASCAR world was given fair warning with this morning’s news that Red Bull superstar James “Bubba” Stewart has joined forces with the Joe Gibbs Racing juggernaut, hell bent on world domination. Why should NASCAR worry about the fastest man on two wheels? Not only does signing with JGRMX place Stewart on their YZ450F full-time for the next three years, he will immediately begin testing for the K&N and Nationwide Series, with eyes set on racing as early as next season.

With the self-imposed prime directive to bring home both Supercross and AMA Outdoor Championships in the same season, and subsequently beat Jeremy McGrath’s record 72 Supercross wins in the process, Stewart feels confident he has aligned himself with a team befitting of those aspirations.

“It’s a perfect fit,” said Stewart, who ranks third on the Supercross all-time win list with 42 victories. “I thought there’d be a good chance to take everything to the next level with their program and my program. When (team owner Joe Gibbs) told me, ‘We feel we can do just as much for you as you can for us,’ I was sold. That was the relationship I wanted: Someone who wanted me as bad as I wanted to be here.”

The all-inclusive JGR facilities are the major factors that influenced Stewart’s decision, after he toured the sophisticated facility, complete with grandiose test tracks and race shops housed at the Huntersville, North Carolina complex. With an arsenal of engines, machine parts and suspension technology at the team’s disposal, James recognized the value of the entire package.

“The facility was just unbelievable,” Stewart said. “I know we have the gnarliest capabilities of any team. When I saw their Yamaha compared to mine, I was like, ‘Are you kidding me? They haven’t won a championship yet?’ Let me come over and help these guys out.”

The first race for Stewart and his new JGRMX team will be Anaheim 1 SX on January 7, 2012.

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The rumors are true! After a few weeks of teaser photos, James Stewart confirmed via Twitter (@js7) that he will be racing in the Chicagoland Speedway round of the Traxxas TORC off-road racing series. This will be Stewart’s debut 4 wheel race and is scheduled for September 14 – 15, in Chicago, IL.

“I’m pumped but nervous at the same time because I’ve drove a truck once and haven’t even drove the truck I’m racing yet,” Stewart said on his Twitter account on August 31.

The series features Pro 4×4, Pro 2WD, Pro Light and several buggy classes. James plan on racing in the Pro Lights class; it sure will be exciting to see how James fairs on 4 wheels.

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